Attorney for Upton rail dispute requires $10,000

Saturday

A group of residents is trying to raise $10,000 for an attorney to help file a petition to look into whether activity at the Grafton & Upton Railroad is federally protected from local oversight.

A group of residents is trying to raise $10,000 for an attorney to help file a petition to look into whether activity at the Grafton & Upton Railroad is federally protected from local oversight.

The money will pay attorney Mark Bobrowski to represent the Planning Board, which intends to file a petition with the federal Surface Transportation Board regarding railroad business.

Marsha Paul, a local woman questioning the railroad’s pre-emptive status, said yesterday that Bobrowski requested $10,000 for his services.

“The money wasn’t spoken about at (Tuesday’s Planning Board meeting). We were told prior ... that it was going to be about $10,000,” she said yesterday.

Paul sent residents an email yesterday explaining the need for the money: “The only way the Planning Board can be part of the petition now is to be a party to it but not pay for it. It is in our best interest, in front of the (Surface Transportation Board), to have a town department filing alongside the citizens, (because) it will carry more weight.”

For that reason, she said, Bobrowski will be paid but will still represent the Planning Board “pro bono.”

Attempts to reach Bobrowski were unsuccessful as of deadline yesterday.

Paul encouraged residents to attend a selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, when the board will meet with the Planning Board and Bobrowski to discuss the petition.

“As citizens, we must stand up for what is right for our safety and health,” Paul said, referring to concerns about the rail yard’s activity.

Diana DelGrosso, a resident and member of the town’s Railroad Fact Finding Committee, also sent out a series of emails yesterday, explaining to residents why raising the $10,000 is necessary.

“The attorney is not willing to do this for free. The Planning Board was going to pay, but (selectmen) won’t let them, and they are even challenging the fact that they're even a party to the (Surface Transportation Board) petition. We citizens are technically the ones ‘hiring’ the attorney, because we are paying,” she said.

DelGrosso also encouraged community support for the endeavor.

“The conclusion the (Surface Transportation Board) draws could have a tremendous impact on the future of this town,” she said.

DelGrosso could not be reached for further comment as of deadline yesterday.

Resident Jen Davis-Nicoll, who is also supporting the fundraising effort, sent an email to residents asking them to spread the word.

“Not enough people in this town know what’s happening,” she said.

Grafton & Upton Railroad spokesman Doug Pizzi said he does not yet know if a railroad representative will attend Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. He did not have much else to say on the issue.

“I don’t have any more comment than I had (Thursday) … This is an internal town matter, and they’re going to work it out the best they see fit,” he said.

Attempts to contact selectmen and Planning Board members were also unsuccessful as of deadline yesterday.

Morgan Rousseau can be reached at 508-634-7546 or at mrousseau@wickedlocal.com. For local news throughout the day, follow Morgan Rousseau at twitter.com/RousseauNews.

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